IMF Pakistan to resume talks after May 18

The Pakistani government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will meet next week, starting May 18, to discuss the most recent economic trends and policy execution. The development was confirmed by Fund mission.

Pakistan has also been asked by the IMF to continue implementing policies aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability as well as inclusive and sustainable growth.

The demand suggests that the IMF wants to see gasoline subsidies reversed and that the government plans to raise petroleum prices on May 15, signalling that the administration is serious about restarting talks with the Fund to revive the stalled IMF programme.

Meanwhile, Esther Perez Ruiz, the IMF’s Resident Chief in Pakistan, noted: “We continue our constructive dialogue with the Pakistani authorities. It is important for the authorities to proceed with the implementation of policies with the aim of achieving macroeconomic stability, and inclusive, sustainable growth, as discussed at the time of the Spring Meetings in Washington DC We look forward to continuing policy level discussions during the second half of May.

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